Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77

First off, I'm not going to predict specific players, because I'm bad at it, and IBBIT.

That said, I do think there are certain things that are very likely to happen, based on historical tendencies:

1. I expect the Patriots will draft a total of FOUR players in the first three rounds. My main reason for saying this is that, historically, EVERY player drafted in the first four rounds makes the roster, AND at least one UDFA makes the opening day roster as well.

Yup, I can see the logic behind this, roster spots are going to be tight.

2. I expect the Patriots to trade ONE of the three seconds—most likely #34, since that will get them an extra first—into the 2010 draft.

Again, agree completely.

3. I expect the Patriots will use either #58 or #89 to trade up. According to the value chart, #47 + #89 = #33, so they could easily trade away #34 and still draft a player in the #30s.

Not sure I agree with this one - I see a lot of value in the #89 area. I have more players on my board in the 4th and 5th rounds than in perhaps any other area of the draft, even that 20-60 range, which is pretty stacked as well.

4. I also expect the Patriots to use at least one of their three remaining "late" picks (their 4, their 6, or their 7) in trades. In all, I expect the Patriots will draft 8-9 players total.

Agreed.

5. I expect the Patriots to draft at least one LB in the first three rounds, and at least one player who can play S.

Also agreed.

6. I expect that somewhere on day two, most likely in rounds four or five, they will take a QB to challenge Gutierrez.

Again, agreed.

7. I do NOT expect them to draft a punter, but I do expect them to sign one as a UDFA to push Hanson. I do NOT expect that UDFA to replace Hanson.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them use a [comp] 5th, 6th or 7th on a punter.

8. I expect the Patriots will draft at least one "slash" type player (WR/QB, CB/S, RB/WR, etc.)

Wouldn't shock me either.

9. I do NOT expect they will trade DOWN in the draft unless they can find a way to push the picks they accumulate into 2010. Drafting a ton of players this year, again, makes little sense.

I can see trading down from #23, if it means grabbing a pick 2010.

10. I expect that, all of the above said, I will still, nevertheless, say "WTF?" at least once next weekend.

Originally Posted by BradyManny2344

Not sure I agree with this one - I see a lot of value in the #89 area. I have more players on my board in the 4th and 5th rounds than in perhaps any other area of the draft, even that 20-60 range, which is pretty stacked as well.

Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77

10. I expect that, all of the above said, I will still, nevertheless, say "WTF?" at least once next weekend.

Originally Posted by ctpatsfan77

That's true, but the Pats also have the untradable #97.

Originally Posted by Wheelssps

I agree with most of the sentiments expressed in this thread already, and also heartily agree on the number of WTF's?.

I've been trying to get a gauge on the number of draft picks that we might trade into 2010, and here are my thoughts thus far:

This draft is quite deep, so it makes sense to stay in this draft.
We don't have many roster spots available, so it makes sense to move picks to next year.
We have some expiring contracts, and since it generally takes players a year or two to be comfortable contributors in BB's schemes, it makes sense to draft future replacements this year.
BB LOVES to have flexibility on draft day, so that makes sense to move picks to next year to give him these same options next year.

The above contradictions left me totally confused, so I just decided to think about what BB would envision as an ideal draft situation for next year in addition to the standard picks.
I'm guessing an extra 1st, 2nd, and 4th or 5th.

So, I'll guess #47 and a low rounder makes a 2010 1st, #89 makes a 2010 2nd, and then another low round pick or some combination makes another 4th or 5th next year. That would leave us with a good number of picks this year in a variety or rounds while still keeping 3 of our 4 top picks (23, 34, 58) and would set us up well for next year. Given the depth of this year's draft, I suspect that we might be able to find trading partners for the above scenarios. Let the draft picks earn interest for another year if you will.

Of course what BB will actually do will be brilliant in retrospect and dumbfounding in the moment.